How do I remove an outside door handle?

I’m not with my car right now, but I’d like to pick up a door handle from the bone yard.
What tools will I need?

I know the handle is held on with two nuts. Do you know the size?

Also the handle is attached to a rod, how is this rod attached to the handle?

Thanks,

Michael

more then likely the nut size is 10mm, like everything else. But, I did want to check on the clip?

edit: not 10mm ....the nut size is 11mm

[This message has been edited by 2000RagTop (edited 11-01-2005).]

the clip on the rod is a evil little thing.
there is a magic trick for removing it. but you have to learn it.
luckily you'll be at the yard, so you can detroy the clip, and then figure out how it works.
and then be nice to the one on your car.
i recomend a 90' pick tool and a flat blade screwdriver.

to remove the door panel a #3 philips, a #2 philips, a small flat screwdriver, and a rag to remove the window crank

a 10mm to remove the handle, i think i use a ratchet wrench on one, and a socket on the other.

You need to take off the outer door skin to remove the handle (or at least I did). While you're in there, this would be a good time to replace the dew wipes and/or the door locks. If the car is an 84, take a Phillips #3 screwdriver for the plastic nut things on the edge of the panels. If it's 85+, take a set of Torx drivers. Also a cordless drill to drill out the little F'ers if they strip out On the bottom of the door skin, it's held in with a few 1/4 plastic rivets, you'll need a hamer and a punch to knock the center out, and a pair of pliers to get them out of the hole.

Have fun with that

------------------

1984 Fiero SE

I was thinking that I could get to the outside handle from the insideof the door with the door panel removed?
Is there no access? ?

I believe the nuts are 11mm, and you're most likely going to have to remove the door panel to get at the back side. Pull the interior panel and the mirror, pop out the plastic rivots at the bottom of the door panel, and remove the 7 torx head screws that hold the door panel on. The top of the door panel hooks at the top of the door, and when you get that cleared, the only things holding the panel to the car is the door handle rod and the lock rod. These clips are different. The door handle rod is a plastic piece that clips to the handle and locks the rod in place, and the lock rod clip is a metal clip that needs to have the end pried up a bit and slid a little bit to release the rod. Once you can see them you'll find it's pretty easy to understand.

If you need any help, or you need new rivots for the bottom of the door panel, let me know. I can swing out and give you a hand.

Mark

FYI, the Fiero uses the generic outside GM door handle. You can get new ones from most auto parts stores in the Help aisle.

quote Originally posted by Firefox: I believe the nuts are 11mm, and you're most likely going to have to remove the door panel to get at the back side.

what the hell car am i thinking of then? i dont remember working on any other outside door handles for a really long time.

I certainly may be wrong about the whole thing, but I'm used to pulling apart the car to work on some stuff. I thought the impact bar was right in the way of the nuts, and I seem to remember the handle nuts being a little larger because they also hold in place the backing structure for the handle and lock assembly.

Please forgive me if I'm wrong.

Mark

I've replaced many door handles without taking the outer door skin off. It requires long, dexterous fingers and a little patients. The rod clip is a PITA, though. Good luck.

quote Originally posted by Firefox: Please forgive me if I'm wrong. Mark, the door guy

i wasn't saying you're wrong, i just dont remember doing it.
it's true, i'm a whore and work on other cars than just the fiero.
i've very possible that i could be thinking of something else.

Well, I lucked out today.....The donor car happened to have part of the outside door missing right above the handle couldn't have been any easier. I was able to stick in a box wrench and get to both nuts. BTW.... the nut size is 11mm, and i was able to get the clip off without any trouble.
Now I have a spare one ........lol watch me break the one that i'm replacing.

Thanks everyone for the help
And Mark (Firefox) thanks for the offer............

-michael

[This message has been edited by 2000RagTop (edited 11-01-2005).]

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: i wasn't saying you're wrong, i just dont remember doing it. it's true, i'm a whore and work on other cars than just the fiero. i've very possible that i could be thinking of something else.

I'm used to pulling the panels off the car for painting. I pull the door handles, and of course the panels are off of the car at this point anyway. I'm going to have to take a peek the next time I pull one apart because I hate giving out bad advice and I try to avoid that. I've got the rivots and the rivot tool so that's easy for me, but for those that don't have one, it's $30 you don't need to spend.

Mark the door guy

I've just taken all that stuff off a few days ago (getting ready to paint) and if I'm not mistaken, the door handles are mounted over the top of the outer door skin. I don't see how you could even get the outer skin off without removing the handle first.

DLD

[This message has been edited by RacerX10 (edited 11-02-2005).]

The handle is attached to the outer door skin. There is framework to support the handle and the lock cylinder, and that keeps everything from flexing while pulling up the handle and pulling the door open.

i need someones car to take apart.

i remember the triangle shaped plate, but the rest is getting blurry.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 11-02-2005).]

Sorry guy’s, I didn’t mean to cause such a commotion

Thanks again for your help………

-michael

No sweat.....I'm used to pulling a car apart to paint, and I thought the impact bar would be in the way of the backside of the handle area. If I'm wrong, I'd like to learn that. I don't want to suggest to someone something that takes so much more time than what's necessary.

Mark the paint guy